Birthdays & Historical Events – August 28

1565

1565

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés sights land near St. Augustine, Florida.

Pedro Menéndez de Avilés sights land near St. Augustine, Florida. After an encounter with French forces, he finally makes it to land on September 8 to found a new community. St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European-established city in the continental U.S.

August 28, 1565

1609

1609

Delaware Bay is discovered by Henry Hudson.

Delaware Bay is discovered by the English explorer Henry Hudson.

August 28, 1609

1789

1789

William Herschel discovers a new moon of Saturn.

William Herschel discovers a new moon of Saturn, which was named Enceladus. Herschel found the moon during the first light use of his 40-foot (1.2-meter) telescope, which was the largest in the world at that time.

August 28, 1789

1830

1830

A steam locomotive races a horse-drawn car.

The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's new Tom Thumb steam locomotive races a horse-drawn car, presaging steam's role in U.S. railroads. Unfortunately, the locomotive did not win the race. It ran out of steam.

August 28, 1830

1833

1833

The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 receives royal assent in the British Empire.

The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 receives royal assent in the British Empire, making the purchase or ownership of slaves illegal.

August 28, 1833

1845

1845

The first issue of the Scientific American magazine is published.

The first issue of the Scientific American magazine is published. The four-page weekly newspaper sold for 25 cents per issue and focused heavily on new inventions, patents, manufacturing, and engineering. The magazine is the oldest continuously published magazine in the U.S.

August 28, 1845

1867

1867

The U.S. takes possession of the Midway Atoll.

The U.S. takes possession of the island Midway Atoll. The Island became the first offshore island territory officially annexed by the U.S. government.

August 28, 1867

1884

1884

The first known photograph of a tornado is taken.

The first known photograph of a tornado is taken near Howard, Dakota Territory (now South Dakota).

August 28, 1884

1898

1898

"Brad's Drink" is renamed "Pepsi-Cola".

Caleb Bradham's beverage "Brad's Drink" is renamed "Pepsi-Cola". Originally created as a digestive aid, the drink was named by patrons after Bradham's last name. However, the "Pepsi-Cola" name was created from two ingredients--pepsin and cola nut.

August 28, 1898

1901

1901

Silliman University is founded in the Philippines.

Silliman University is founded in the Philippines and becomes the first American private school in the country.

August 28, 1901

1907

1907

UPS is founded in Seattle, Washington.

The United Parcel Service (UPS) is founded by James E. Casey in Seattle, Washington.

August 28, 1907

1917

1917

Ten members of the Silent Sentinels are arrested while picketing outside the White House.

Ten members of the Silent Sentinels are arrested while picketing outside the White House in favor of women's suffrage.

August 28, 1917

1936

1936

Nazi Germany begins its mass arrests of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Nazi Germany begins its mass arrests of Jehovah's Witnesses. The members interned in concentration camps for refusing mandatory military service and to work in war-related industries based on their religious beliefs.

August 28, 1936

1957

1957

U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond begins a filibuster to prevent voting on the Civil Rights Act of 1957.

U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond begins a filibuster to prevent voting on the Civil Rights Act of 1957. His failed filibuster lasted 24 hours and 18 minutes. Within two hours of him stopping his filibuster, a vote was taken and the Act passed despite his attempts to stop it.

August 28, 1957

1963

1963

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives his I Have a Dream speech.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gives his I Have a Dream speech on the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

August 28, 1963

1965

1965

The first Subway sandwich shop opens.

The first Subway sandwich shop opens in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

August 28, 1965

1968

1968

Police and protesters clash during 1968 Democratic National Convention protests.

Police and protesters clash during 1968 Democratic National Convention protests. The protests in opposition of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

August 28, 1968

2022

2022

A 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card sells for $12.6 million at auction.

A 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card sells for $12.6 million at auction. The card remains the most expensive sports card and piece of sports memorabilia ever sold.

August 28, 2022